Tag: Repent

Posted in NEW CREATION, SOUL FOOD, THE END IS NEAR, Uplifting Christ

What will you do with a Second Chance?

Posted on by Uplifting Christ

20121127-085653.jpgQuite a number of people don’t get opportunity to make things right when they mess up in their relationships with others. Years ago a brother approached me to talk about the mess he had committed in his marriage. He told me that if he gets a second chance, he won’t do that again. I thank God that when I talked to the wife, she accepted him back and the mistake he committed was never repeated.

Second chance is an opportunity to throw away bad behaviour or habit and embrace the new. It is the time when you become mindful of everything you do and try to live up to expectations.  However, it is unfortunate that people don’t always get second chance to do better especially in the face of death; for the bible says that it is appointed for man to die once, after that judgement.

I want to talk to you about two people in the bible; one got the opportunity to live again, but the other had no chance because it was too late.

The first person is the prodigal son in Luke 15. He took his share of his father’s wealth and went to live a worthless life. He got broke and life began to take a toll on him but when he came to senses, he went back to his father and pleaded for a second chance.  The father forgave him and took him back as his son.

The second person is the rich man in Lazarus’ story (Luke 16). He was very rich but died a sinner. He found himself in hell, a place of no return. He knew there was no turning point so he pleaded that Abraham should send Lazarus back to earth to warn his five brothers. If he had had second chance to live again, I believe that his life would have been awesome but it was too late for him.

These two stories tell us that God will grant us second chance to make things right if we repent while we have life. The scripture says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9). Notice he used “if”.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, self-ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21, NIV)

Today is an opportunity for you to make a U TURN or REPENT from lifestyle that is contrary to how Jesus wants you to live. If you have been caught up in sin or habit that you know will not make you a candidate for Heaven, ask for forgive while there is life. If you have backslidden, ask for God’s grace to get up to run your race well. You don’t know when death will knock at your door so don’t take chances with your life.

Today is the day you have, tomorrow may be too late. What will do you with a second chance?

Remember that you may cover your sins that no one else will know but you can’t hide it from God.

Say this Prayer:

Father I thank you for granting me another chance to live right today. Please forgive me my sins and wash me clean with the blood of Jesus. I asked that you strengthen me so that henceforth, I will not live according to the dictates of my flesh but by your Holy Spirit. Guide my thoughts and life so that I don’t mess up again. I thank you because I know you have answered in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Posted in GOD'S KINGDOM, SOUL FOOD, WORD OF GOD

SOME WHEAT HAVE TURNED INTO TARES

Posted on by Uplifting Christ

Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. (Matthew 13:40 NKJV)

In the parable of the tares and wheat Jesus explained that The Son of Man is the farmer who planted the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seeds represent the people of the Kingdom. The tares are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the tares among the wheat is the devil.

The tares are people who belong to the evil one. Satan is the evil one and He is after your soul. One thing you should know is that the tares live their lives to please him that is why we see people who do evil everyday. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. (Matthew 7:16 NLT)
For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. (Proverbs 4:16 NKJV)

Paul said in 1 Corinthians that

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 NLT)

The tares follow the desires of the flesh and they will not enter the kingdom of God. The scripture says

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NLT)

Some people were once wheat but they have turned into tares. They used to love the things of God but now they live to please Satan. They used to be the first in Church but now they prefer to watch football match, visit friends, do business, or even do nothing on Service day. They loved the Word of God but now they love the World. They used to preach the Word but now they are preaching the world. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. (I John 2:16 NKJV)

Others call themselves Christians but their deeds are evil. They don’t obey God’s commandments and believe that their constant church going, reading of the Bible, and fasting and praying will warrant their going to Heaven. Jesus said “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ (Matthew 7:21-23 NLT)

I came to tell to you that if you practice any of the things Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:9,10 and in Galatians 5:19-21, you have turned away. You are on the wrong path that leads to eternal destruction so Repent. Repent because God has set a day when the tares would be gathered and burned in fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Posted in SOUL WINNING, Uplifting Christ

Are you after the CROWN OR CROWD?

Posted on by Uplifting Christ

People have reasons for doing what they do. I have heard preachers asking people to come to their churches before they could pray for them. I don’t know when or how this started but I believe getting people into our auditoriums is not the assignment. And that is also not the Prize. The assignment is

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15, 16 NLT).

And the Prize is the crown of righteousness. It is therefore important that we focus on the prize so that we don’t deviate from the right course.

One thing I have observed lately about the some churches is that members idolise their Pastors and thus believe that God listens to their Pastors more than He listens to them. In effect, these preachers preach what the crowd wants to hear. They don’t talk about holiness, righteousness, sin, hell, and deliberately avoid the truth because the truth hurts sometimes. Some even don’t preach about the good work Jesus did on Calvary because the crowd don’t want to hear that.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3 NLT)

The point is we are not called to please the crowd or succumb to their desires. “We must obey God rather than human beings! (Acts 5:29 NIV). Jesus added that Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21 KJV). The core of our task is to do the will of our Father in Heaven

Things to watch out for:

a) It’s a blessing to head a mega church or have have thousands coming to your auditorium, reading your books, visiting your site, etc but don’t get carried away. Your mission is to do the work of your Father in Heaven.

b) Stand for the truth. In 2 Timothy, Paul said

Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2 AMP)

c) Don’t worry when people leave because of your stance. Many people left Jesus because they wouldn’t accept what he taught. John 6:66
Paul also told Timothy that people “will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.” (2 Timothy 4:4 AMP)

Friend, you must fight the good fight of faith, finish your race well, and remain faithful to God. The Bible says there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” (Luke 15:10 NLT). It is better to lead one to Heaven than to perish with 10 in Hell. Go for the Crown.

I will close with this:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7, 8 NLT)